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British forces may be in Afghanistan for another five years while civilians could stay more than 20 years, the new UK ambassador to Afghanistan has said.

Mark Sedwill, who will take up his post next week, told BBC Radio Five Live the Afghan army and police should be strong enough in five years to take over.

But he said British workers would be there much longer helping with reconstruction and development.

His new job involves close liaison with the British military command.

Mr Sedwill outlined his purpose as being to support the British military and co-ordinate the British effort alongside allies, the UN and Nato.

Extra troops

"I think in a few years' time, I hope maybe five, maybe a bit more, that we will have built up the Afghan army and the Afghan police to the stage where they can take on more of the fight themselves. Then we will see our troops step back.



"On the civilian side, we will be there for a very long time. There's a massive job to do."

This includes supporting the Afghan government to make the country stable and secure, governance, reconstruction, development and tackling narcotics.

Mr Sedwill welcomed the 17,000 extra US troops promised by US president Barack Obama.

"We have got to take advantage of that and that's got to make the Taleban think that they can't win this militarily," he said.

The UK currently has more than 8,000 troops in Afghanistan.

BBC NEWS | UK | UK 'in Afghanistan for long term'

My cousin is out in Afghanistan and he reckons this is old news and nothing they havent heard before, his wife isnt so chuffed at the news.

Chezzie;1162787 wrote: British forces may be in Afghanistan for another five years while civilians could stay more than 20 years, the new UK ambassador to Afghanistan has said.

Mark Sedwill, who will take up his post next week, told BBC Radio Five Live the Afghan army and police should be strong enough in five years to take over.

But he said British workers would be there much longer helping with reconstruction and development.

His new job involves close liaison with the British military command.

Mr Sedwill outlined his purpose as being to support the British military and co-ordinate the British effort alongside allies, the UN and Nato.

Extra troops

"I think in a few years' time, I hope maybe five, maybe a bit more, that we will have built up the Afghan army and the Afghan police to the stage where they can take on more of the fight themselves. Then we will see our troops step back.



"On the civilian side, we will be there for a very long time. There's a massive job to do."

This includes supporting the Afghan government to make the country stable and secure, governance, reconstruction, development and tackling narcotics.

Mr Sedwill welcomed the 17,000 extra US troops promised by US president Barack Obama.

"We have got to take advantage of that and that's got to make the Taleban think that they can't win this militarily," he said.

The UK currently has more than 8,000 troops in Afghanistan.

BBC NEWS | UK | UK 'in Afghanistan for long term'

My cousin is out in Afghanistan and he reckons this is old news and nothing they havent heard before, his wife isnt so chuffed at the news. After 9/11 Bush gave Afghanistan 3 weeks to hand over Bin Laden. I doubt he was even there at the time. Even with the air-strikes on the Tora Bora caves and a million dollar reward, they produced nothing. Five years later, we are still there and surprise surprise, in 5 years we can't produce Bin Laden, yet we expected the Afghans to do the deed in 3 weeks.

We should never have gone in and we should not be there five years later or a minute more.

What exactly are we fighting here? The Taliban? Who is the choice of the Afghan people.

We did not have a 9/11 to even use Bush's excuse. It is an illegal war. Only total with-drawal now is the answer.

oscar;1162813 wrote: After 9/11 Bush gave Afghanistan 3 weeks to hand over Bin Laden. I doubt he was even there at the time. Even with the air-strikes on the Tora Bora caves and a million dollar reward, they produced nothing. Five years later, we are still there and surprise surprise, in 5 years we can't produce Bin Laden, yet we expected the Afghans to do the deed in 3 weeks.

We should never have gone in and we should not be there five years later or a minute more.

What exactly are we fighting here? The Taliban? Who is the choice of the Afghan people.

We did not have a 9/11 to even use Bush's excuse. It is an illegal war. Only total with-drawal now is the answer.




The War Afganistan Is About The [ Drugs ] , Every Country Who Goes In Their Loses . That Should Tell Somebody Something !

Daniyal;1166682 wrote: The War Afganistan Is About The [ Drugs ] , Every Country Who Goes In Their Loses . That Should Tell Somebody Something ! Yes, and how hypocritical that the US and Britain hailed The Taliban as vallant Freedon Fighters when Russia was involved in the 80's. :sneaky:

oscar;1166856 wrote: Yes, and how hypocritical that the US and Britain hailed The Taliban as vallant Freedon Fighters when Russia was involved in the 80's. :sneaky:






Dig it , Truth Is Truth They Also Kick Russia A$$$$ Too And Russia No Joke .



Obama Admits US Isn’t Winning War in Afghanistan; Considers Talks with TalibanIn an interview with the New York Times, President Obama admitted the US is not winning the war in Afghanistan. His comment came weeks after he ordered 17,000 more troops to fight as part of an escalation of the seven-year-old war. Obama also revealed that the US is considering reaching out to moderate elements of the Taliban, much as it did with Sunni militias in Iraq.